Cooking appliance and knob assembly

ABSTRACT

A cooking appliance or knob assembly may include a surface panel, a bezel body, and a control knob. The surface panel may have a forward face and a rearward face. The surface panel may define a central axis through the surface panel from the rearward face to the forward face. The bezel body may extend from a front end to a rear end disposed against the surface panel. The bezel body may define a central region aligned with the central axis. The bezel body may further define an axial gutter extending through a portion of the bezel body radially outward from the central region. The axial gutter may be disposed between the forward face of the surface panel and the front end of the bezel body. The control knob may be rotatably disposed within the central region.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to control knobs on an appliance, such as a cooking appliance. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to an improved assembly for control knobs housing one or more electronic component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Knobs are commonly used on a variety of commercial and residential appliances to control an operating condition of the appliance. Knobs are particularly common on cooking appliances, such as stoves or cooktops. Various shapes and sizes can be used depending upon, for example, the intended application, aesthetics, and other factors.

For example, cooking appliances that include a cooktop traditionally have at least one heating element positioned on a panel proximate a cooktop surface for use in heating or cooking an object, such as a cooking utensil, and its contents. The heating element can operate to heat a cooking utensil directly through induction heating, or may use another heat source such as electrically resistant coils or gas burners. Some cooking appliances have one or more electronic components housed therein. For instance, some cooking appliances have lighting elements installed beneath or behind the knobs so that the light may shine through an opening. One or more light guides may be provided around the knob to display the light above or in front of the panel and communicate certain conditions to the user, such as whether the knob is in an “on” position.

Certain challenges exist with these existing constructions, however. For instance, electronic components or lighting elements may be susceptible to damage caused by liquids, such as might come from a spill of liquids on the cooktop. Additionally or alternatively, such liquids may fall into areas that are difficult to clean, or often ignored by users. This may result in unpleasant smells or damage to the appliance.

As a result, further improvements to knob assemblies would be useful. In particular, it would be advantageous to provide a knob assembly or appliance having one or more features for guiding spilled liquids away from an inner portion of the knob assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a knob assembly for an appliance is provided. The knob assembly may include a surface panel, a bezel body, and a control knob. The surface panel may have a forward face and a rearward face. The surface panel may define a central axis through the surface panel from the rearward face to the forward face. The bezel body may extend from a front end to a rear end disposed against the surface panel. The bezel body may define a central region aligned with the central axis. The bezel body may further define an axial gutter extending through a portion of the bezel body radially outward from the central region. The axial gutter may be disposed between the forward face of the surface panel and the front end of the bezel body. The control knob may be rotatably disposed within the central region.

In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a cooking appliance is provided. The cooking appliance may include cooktop surface, a heating element, a control panel, a bezel body, and a control knob. The heating element may be mounted to the cooktop surface. The control panel may be positioned forward from the cooktop surface. The control panel may include a surface panel defining a central axis. The bezel body may extend from a front end to a rear end disposed against the surface panel. The bezel body may define a central region aligned with the central axis. The bezel body may further define an axial gutter extending through a portion of the bezel body radially outward from the central region. The axial gutter may be disposed between the forward face of the surface panel and the front end of the bezel body. The control knob may be rotatably disposed within the central region.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a cooking appliance according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a magnified view of a portion of the control panel of the exemplary cooking appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides an exploded perspective view of a knob assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 provides a rear plan view of the exemplary knob assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 provides a front plan view of a portion of the exemplary knob assembly of FIG. 3, wherein the knob body has been removed for clarity.

FIG. 6 provides a side section view the exemplary knob assembly of FIG. 5, taken along the line 6-6.

FIG. 7 provides a magnified side section view illustrating an axial gutter of a bezel body of the exemplary knob assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 provides a rear plan view of the bezel body of the exemplary knob assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 provides a cross-sectional, rear, perspective view of the bezel body of the exemplary knob assembly of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a cooking appliance, such as an oven appliance 10, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 provides a magnified perspective view of a portion of a control panel of oven appliance 10. Generally, oven appliance 10 defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T. The vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system. As will be understood, oven appliance 10 is provided by way of example only, and the present subject matter may be used in any suitable appliance. Thus, the present disclosure may be used with other oven, range, or cooktop appliance configurations (e.g., configurations that define multiple interior cavities for the receipt of food, include no interior cavities, or are otherwise different than the configuration shown in FIG. 1), as well as other suitable appliances, as would be understood in light of the present disclosure.

Oven appliance 10 includes an insulated cabinet 12 with an interior cooking chamber 14 defined by an interior surface of cabinet 12. Cooking chamber 14 is configured for the receipt of one or more food items to be cooked. Oven appliance 10 includes a door 16 rotatably mounted to cabinet 12 (e.g., with a hinge—not shown). A handle 18 may be mounted to door 16 and may assist a user with opening and closing door 16 in order to access an opening to cooking chamber 14. For example, a user can pull on handle 18 to open or close door 16 and access cooking chamber 14 through the opening.

Oven appliance 10 can includes a seal (not shown) between door 16 and cabinet 12 that assist with maintaining heat and cooking fumes within cooking chamber 14 when door 16 is closed, as shown in FIG. 1. One or more parallel glass panes 22 provide for viewing the contents of cooking chamber 14 when door 16 is closed and assist with insulating cooking chamber 14. Optionally, a baking rack (not pictured) is positioned in cooking chamber 14 for the receipt of food items or utensils containing food items.

In some embodiments, oven appliance 10 a cooktop surface 42 having one or more heating elements 44 for use in heating or cooking operations. In exemplary embodiments, cooktop surface 42 is comprised of metal (e.g., steel) panel on which one or more grates may be supported. In other embodiments, however, cooktop surface 42 may be comprised of another suitable material, such as a ceramic glass or another suitable non-metallic material. Heating elements 44 may be various sizes, as shown in FIG. 1, and may employ any suitable method for heating or cooking an object, such as a cooking utensil (not shown), and its contents. In one embodiment, for example, heating element uses a heat transfer method, such as electric coils or gas burners, to heat the cooking utensil. In another embodiment, however, heating element 44 uses an induction heating method to heat the cooking utensil directly. In turn, heating element may include a burner element, electric heat element, induction element, or another suitable heating element.

Some embodiments of oven appliance 10 include a controller 40 (e.g., configured to control one or more operations of oven appliance 10). For example, controller 40 may control at least one operation of oven appliance 10 that includes an internal heating element or cooktop heating element 44. Controller 40 may be in communication (via for example a suitable wired or wireless connection) with one or more of heating element(s) 44 and other suitable components of oven appliance 10, as discussed herein. In general, controller 40 may be operable to configure oven appliance 10 (and various components thereof) for cooking. Such configuration may be based, for instance, on a plurality of cooking factors of a selected operating cycle or mode.

By way of example, controller 40 may include one or more memory devices and one or more microprocessors, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with an operating cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor.

Controller 40 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout oven appliance 10. As illustrated, controller 40 may be located within a user interface 62 of oven appliance 10. In some such embodiments, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between controller 40 and various operational components of oven appliance 10, such as heating element(s) 44, control knobs 64, display component 66, sensors, alarms, or other components as may be provided. For instance, signals may be directed along one or more wiring harnesses that may be routed through cabinet 12. In some embodiments, controller 40 is in communication with user interface assembly 62 and control knobs 64 through which a user may select various operational features and modes and monitor progress of oven appliance 10. In one embodiment, user interface assembly 62 may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In one embodiment, user interface assembly 62 may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. User interface assembly 62 may include a display component 66, such as a digital or analog display configured to provide operational feedback to a user.

During use of oven appliance 10, the amount of heat delivered by each heating element 44 on cooktop 42 may be controlled by controller 40 and a corresponding knob assembly 60, described in detail below. For instance, knob assembly 60 may include one or more control knobs 64 mounted (e.g., rotatably) on a surface panel 76 of user interface 62. Each control knob 64 may correspond to a discrete heating element 44. Control knob 64, as used herein, refers to any configuration of dial, and not just one having a circular base shape. For example, the present disclosure contemplates exemplary embodiments wherein control knobs 64 have a rectangular base shape, an ovular base shape, or any other shape having one or more curved lines, straight lines, or both.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 through 9, various views are provided of a particular portion of a knob assembly 60 (e.g., including one knob 64) and portions thereof, such as might be provided at knob assembly 60 in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 3 provides an exploded perspective view of a portion of knob assembly 60 and an individual control knob 64, also shown in a rear plan view in FIG. 4. FIGS. 5 and 6 provide a front plan and side section view of a portion of knob assembly 60, wherein the control knob 64 has been removed for clarity. FIG. 7 provides a magnified view of a portion of the bezel body 114 shown in FIG. 6. FIGS. 8 and 9 provide a rear plan view and cross-sectional of bezel body 114.

As shown, a knob assembly 60 may include a trim portion 72 to be attached on the front portion of cabinet 12 and on which control knob 64 is generally supported. Alternatively, trim portion 72 may be mounted rearward or above cooktop 42 (e.g., at a backsplash). Trim portion 72 generally defines a rear cavity 74 to be mated against cabinet 12 (FIG. 1). In example embodiments, trim portion 72 includes a surface panel 76 extending between a left end and a right end, as well as between a top portion and a bottom portion. Surface panel 76 may thus be provided as a planar support member. When assembled, an opposing forward face 86 and rearward face 88 of surface panel 76 may extend, for example, in parallel, between the left and right ends, as well as between the top and bottom portions. As shown, forward face 86 is directed outward or away from rear cavity 74, while rearward face 88 is directed inward or toward rear cavity 74.

In some embodiments, surface panel 76 defines one or more axes or openings to permit mechanical or electrical connections between portions of knob assembly 60 or controller 40 (e.g., within cabinet 12). For instance, control knob 64 may be rotatably mounted on an input stem extending through surface panel 76 (e.g., through a knob opening defined along a central axis A). As will be described in greater detail below, a bezel body 114 may extend about the control knob 64 and define a central region 116 within which control knob 64 is rotatably disposed. Generally, the input stem connected to the control knob 64 may be joined to or form part of a suitable input mechanism for detecting and communicating signal relating to the rotational position of control knob 64 (e.g., a potentiometer, digital encoder, etc.). During use, rotation of control knob 64 and the input stem about the central axis A may alternately increase or decrease a voltage signal and, in turn, alternately increase or decrease an output of a heating element 44, as would be understood.

In some embodiments, a light guide 112 is positioned between control knob 64 and surface panel 76. Specifically, light guide 112 may be mounted within central region 116 between control knob 64 and surface panel 76 along the central axis A (e.g., perpendicular to the lateral direction L, parallel to the transverse direction, or nonparallel to the vertical direction V). Optionally, one or more mechanical fasteners 118 (e.g., screws, bolts, clips, hooks, etc.) may secure light guide 112 to surface panel 76. Generally, light guide 112 may include or be formed from a light-permissive (e.g., transparent or translucent) material, such as a polymer.

As shown, light guide 112 may include a radial wall 120 that extends radially outward from and about the central axis A (e.g., at a center hole defined through light guide 112 along the central axis A to permit an input stem or attachment stem of control knob 64 to extend therethrough). In some embodiments, radial wall 120 is held radially inward from bezel body 114 between forward face 86 and control knob 64. An axial wall 122 may extend axially forward from radial wall 120 at a peripheral edge thereof. For instance, axial wall 122 may extend circumferentially about the central axis A along the peripheral edge of radial wall 120. In certain embodiments, axial wall 122 extends about control knob 64 (e.g., radially outward from control knob 64 or radially inward from bezel body 114). Optionally, an interior edge 124 of bezel body 114 may extend radially inward behind axial wall 122 or at least a portion of radial wall 120. Additionally or alternatively, a front lip 126 of light guide 112 may extend radially from axial wall 122 (e.g., into or in front of a portion of the front end 138 of bezel body 114).

In certain embodiments, one or more light sources 128 [e.g., light bulb, light emitting diode (LED), etc.] are provided within the central region 116. For instance, a light source 128 may be mounted on a support substrate 130 forward from or in front of the forward face 86. When assembled, an axial space or air gap may be defined between support substrate 130 and forward face 86. Thus, support substrate 130 may be spaced apart from the forward face 86 along the central axis A. Optionally, an electrical connector 132 (e.g., connection pin, bus, wire, etc.) may extend from support substrate 130 (e.g., rearward) to forward face 86. From there, an electrical connection may be established through cabinet 12 to a power source or controller 40, as would be understood. Thus, support substrate 130 or light source 128 may electrically connect to an interior portion of cooking appliance, such as to receive one or more power signals or instructional signals to control activation of the light source 128 (e.g., in response to the corresponding control knob 64 being rotated to the “on” position).

As shown, the light source 128 and support substrate 130 may be disposed rearward from or behind at least a portion of the light guide 112 (e.g., the radial wall 120). Radial wall 120, in particular, may be mounted between control knob 64 and support substrate 130. Light source 128 may be directed forward (e.g., toward radial wall 120) such that light emissions therefrom are received by and directed through light guide 112. For instance, when light source 128 is activated, light emissions may be directed through radial wall 120 and to axial wall 122, or otherwise to a region defined about control knob 64 (e.g., radially between bezel body 114 and an outer surface of control knob 64). Optionally, one or more diffuser plates 134 (e.g., frosted or refractive translucent panels) may be provided in front of a light source 128 (e.g., on light guide 112) to further disperse light emissions about control knob 64. In some embodiments, the support substrate 130 is mounted on or otherwise attached to light guide 112. For instance, one or more body members or attachment tabs 136 that extend axially (e.g., rearward) from radial wall 120 may hold support substrate 130 in a friction fit. Support substrate 130 may thus “float” within the central region 116, not being directly supported on surface panel 76, but instead held on light guide 112.

As noted above, a bezel body 114 extends about and defines a central region 116. Specifically, bezel body 114 extends from a front end 138 to a rear end 140 along the central axis A. When assembled, rear end 140 may be disposed on or against the forward face 86 of surface panel 76. For instance, bezel body 114 may be held against surface panel 76 by contact with at least a portion of light guide 112.

At the rear end 140, an axial gutter 144 may extend axially (e.g., forward) through a portion of bezel body 114. As shown, axial gutter 144 may be radially outward from the central region 116. For instance, axial gutter 144 may be defined as a groove along the radial direction R between an inner rim 146 and an outer rim 148. In some embodiments, the axial length E1 of outer rim 148 (e.g., measured rearward from axial gutter 144 parallel to the central axis A) may be greater than the axial length E2 of inner rim 146. Thus, outer rim 148 may be ensured to be held against forward face 86 while inner rim 146 may be axially spaced apart from forward face 86. Moreover, axial gutter 144 may extend circumferentially about central axis A along at least a portion of the circumferential length of bezel body 114. Optionally, axial gutter 144 may extend continuously about the central axis A. In particular, axial gutter 144 may extend 180° along the entire circumferential length of bezel body 114, as shown. When assembled, a water guide 150 (e.g., channel through which water or liquids may be directed) may be defined between the rear end 140 of the bezel body 114 and the forward face 86 of the surface panel 76. During use, liquids flowing along surface panel 76 and downward to bezel body 114 may be wicked away or otherwise directed through water guide 150 and away from the central region 116.

Advantageously, knob assemblies in accordance with the present disclosure may reroute or direct spilled liquids away from one or more light sources or holes defined through the surface panel to which a control knob is attached.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A knob assembly for an appliance, the knob assembly comprising: a surface panel having a forward face and a rearward face, the surface panel defining a central axis through the surface panel from the rearward face to the forward face; a bezel body extending from a front end to a rear end disposed against the surface panel, the bezel body defining a central region aligned with the central axis, the bezel body further defining an axial gutter extending through a portion of the bezel body radially outward from the central region, the axial gutter being disposed between the forward face of the surface panel and the front end of the bezel body; and a control knob rotatably disposed within the central region.
 2. The knob assembly of claim 1, wherein the axial gutter extends continuously about the central axis.
 3. The knob assembly of claim 1, wherein the axial gutter is defined between an inner rim and an outer rim spaced apart from the inner rim along a radial direction, wherein the outer rim defines an outer axial length extending rearward from the axial gutter, wherein the inner rim defines an inner axial length extending rearward from the axial gutter, and wherein the outer axial length is greater than the inner axial length.
 4. The knob assembly of claim 1, wherein the axial gutter and the surface panel define a water guide between the rear end of the bezel body and the forward face of the surface panel.
 5. The knob assembly of claim 1, further comprising a light source mounted on a support substrate within the central region forward from the forward face.
 6. The knob assembly of claim 5, further comprising a light guide mounted within the central region between the control knob and the support substrate along the central axis.
 7. The knob assembly of claim 5, wherein the support substrate is spaced apart from the forward face along the central axis.
 8. The knob assembly of claim 7, further comprising a light guide mounted within the central region between the control knob and the support substrate along the central axis.
 9. The knob assembly of claim 7, further comprising an electrical connector extending from the support substrate to the forward face.
 10. A cooking appliance comprising: a cooktop surface; a heating element mounted to the cooktop surface; a control panel positioned forward from the cooktop surface, the control panel comprising a surface panel defining a central axis; a bezel body extending from a front end to a rear end disposed against the surface panel, the bezel body defining a central region aligned with the central axis, the bezel body further defining an axial gutter extending through a portion of the bezel body radially outward from the central region, the axial gutter being disposed between the forward face of the surface panel and the front end of the bezel body; and a control knob rotatably disposed within the central region.
 11. The cooking appliance of claim 10, wherein the axial gutter extends continuously about the central axis.
 12. The cooking appliance of claim 10, wherein the axial gutter is defined between an inner rim and an outer rim spaced apart from the inner rim along a radial direction, wherein the outer rim defines an outer axial length extending rearward from the axial gutter, wherein the inner rim defines an inner axial length extending rearward from the axial gutter, and wherein the outer axial length is greater than the inner axial length.
 13. The cooking appliance of claim 10, wherein the axial gutter and the surface panel define a water guide between the rear end of the bezel body and the forward face of the surface panel.
 14. The cooking appliance of claim 10, further comprising a light source mounted on a support substrate within the central region forward from the forward face.
 15. The cooking appliance of claim 14, further comprising a light guide mounted within the central region between the control knob and the support substrate along the central axis.
 16. The cooking appliance of claim 14, wherein the support substrate is spaced apart from the forward face along the central axis.
 17. The cooking appliance of claim 16, further comprising a light guide mounted within the central region between the control knob and the support substrate along the central axis.
 18. The cooking appliance of claim 14, further comprising an electrical connector extending from the support substrate to the forward face. 